Partnership to build healthier communities through education
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HCF, Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund, is in partnership with Australia’s leading national children’s education charity, The Smith Family.
The collaboration furthers HCF’s broader social mission to build healthier communities across Australia by addressing a key social issue impacting health outcomes – education.
HCF’s three-year partnership will support 1,500 students through The Smith Family’s flagship Learning for Life sponsorship program which provides financial, learning and personal support to students experiencing disadvantage.
“We recognise the crucial role we can play in driving societal change to help make a positive health impact for our members, people, and communities,” said HCF CEO Sheena Jack.
Jack added that in a time of growing affordability challenges and uncertainty, many Australians are finding it tough to pay the bills while maintaining access to quality healthcare and education.
“We believe that education is essential to breaking the cycle of poverty and improving long-term health outcomes, which is why we’re supporting The Smith Family and the Learning for Life program.”
“This collaboration is a powerful example of how two trusted Australian not-for-profit organisations can come together to make a lasting impact,” said Jack.
Each sponsorship provides students and families experiencing disadvantage with a combination of financial, personal, and practical support, including access to essential educational resources and targeted learning programs to keep students motivated throughout their school years.
Additionally, HCF employees will have the opportunity to volunteer across a range of The Smith Family activities.
“Today’s launch in our Parramatta Place office in Western Sydney allows us to highlight these issues, both locally and nationally, as we work to build healthier communities across Australia.”
“With nearly 350 of our employees working and living in Parramatta, we’re passionate about and invested in this diverse region.”
Around 63,000 Australian students currently benefit from a Learning for Life scholarship nationally, with more than ten percent living in Western Sydney.
“Our commitment to this vibrant region reflects our broader social mission to build healthier communities by addressing key social issues like education. Supporting The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program demonstrates our dedication to making a tangible difference in the lives of young Australians and our communities,” said Jack.
The Smith Family’s CEO, Doug Taylor, expressed enthusiasm about the new partnership, saying, this partnership with HCF is an investment in the education of children and young people that will deliver long-term benefits for students and families, and potentially generations to come.
“Education is one of the most powerful change agents to overcome educational inequality caused by poverty.”
“By missing out on access to books and learning materials at home, students experiencing disadvantage can fall behind with their learning, affecting their confidence and making it harder for them to gain the skills they need to create a secure future,” said Taylor.
Without support, one in six Australian children and young people living in poverty will have limited choices, opportunities and outcomes in life. Education is key to breaking the poverty cycle. Each year of schooling a child completes leads to better overall life outcomes and empowers them to create their own futures.
In 2022-23, the proportion of first-year Learning for Life tertiary students who continued into their second year at university was 88.1%, and the proportion of students who completed a tertiary qualification within four years was 52.9%.
In 2022, 85% of Learning for Life students who had been in Year 12 in 2020 transitioned successfully from school to further education, training, or employment.
Through the partnership, HCF and The Smith Family aim to make a lasting difference in the lives of young Australians, reinforcing the importance of education in building healthier, more equitable communities.
Related: The Smith Family launches new podcast
Menchie Khairuddin is a writer Deputy Content Manager at Akolade and content producer for Third Sector News. She is passionate about social affairs specifically in mixed, multicultural heritage and not-for-profit organisations.
